Textron Systems has completed a demonstration with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership at Virginia Tech in which its Aerosonde UAS flew between two vertiports through commercial airspace. According to Textron Systems, the demonstration marked the first time an uncrewed aircraft system has flown in commercial airspace utilizing two vertiports.
The Aerosonde UAS vertiport flights supported the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program, an initiative focused on researching advanced air mobility aircraft and the infrastructure required to integrate them into regional airspace.
Aerosonde UAS Vertiport Flights Cover Nearly 150 Nautical Miles
The Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL launched from a vertiport at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute in Blacksburg, Virginia.
The aircraft then traveled through commercial airspace for nearly 150 nautical miles before landing at a second vertiport at Textron Systems’ Aerosonde Center of Excellence in Blackstone, Virginia.
The flight lasted approximately two and a half hours.
According to Textron Systems, the demonstration supports research into the use of vertiports as part of future Advanced Air Mobility operations.
Virginia Smart Airspace Program Studies AAM Integration
The demonstration was conducted in collaboration with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership at Virginia Tech.
MAAP is one of seven Federal Aviation Administration-designated UAS test sites.
The organization was selected to lead the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program when the initiative launched in March 2025.
The program is researching how Advanced Air Mobility aircraft and supporting infrastructure can operate within the region.
Vertiports are a component of that work, providing dedicated locations for aircraft capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
“We are excited to collaborate with Virginia Tech in supporting the aviation and local communities through this opportunity with the Virginia Advanced Air Mobility Smart Airspace Program,” said Sara Willett, Vice President, Uncrewed Air and Land Systems at Textron Systems.
“The Aerosonde UAS’ ability to provide reliable aerial monitoring and critical data collection makes it an ideal platform for helping develop the smart airspace technologies that will enable the future of advanced air mobility.”
Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 Combines VTOL and Fixed-Wing Operations
The Aerosonde family is available in vertical takeoff and landing and fixed-wing configurations.
For the Virginia demonstration, the Aerosonde Mk. 4.7 VTOL configuration allowed the aircraft to operate between the two vertiports while conducting the nearly 150-nautical-mile flight.
Textron Systems designed the Aerosonde UAS for both land- and sea-based operations.
The platform supports more than 40 payload options and can be configured for multiple mission requirements.
Aerosonde Fleet Surpasses 750,000 Flight Hours
According to Textron Systems, the Aerosonde UAS has accumulated more than 750,000 flight hours.
Its operational missions have included:
- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance
- Electronic warfare
- Aerial monitoring
- Data collection
The combination of payload options and different aircraft configurations allows the Aerosonde family to support operations across multiple environments.
Flight Ends at Aerosonde Center of Excellence
The demonstration concluded at Textron Systems’ Aerosonde Center of Excellence in Blackstone.
The 38,000-square-foot facility serves as the company’s global logistics and training hub for the Aerosonde family of aircraft.
Operations at the facility include:
- Aircraft assembly
- Testing
- Classroom training
- Flight-line training
- Logistics support
The Aerosonde UAS vertiport flights demonstrated a nearly 150-nautical-mile connection between two Virginia vertiports while operating through commercial airspace, supporting ongoing research into UAS integration and the infrastructure required for future Advanced Air Mobility operations.
Source: Press release from Textron Systems Corporation
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